PALO ALTO, Calif. and BREINIGSVILLE, Pa., March 12 /PRNewswire/ --
Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) and Agere Systems, formerly the
Microelectronics Group of Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU), today announced a
multi-source agreement (MSA) for 10 Gigabit Ethernet fiber optic transceivers.
The agreement is the first developed to support the proposed IEEE 10 Gigabit
Ethernet interoperability standard, and specifies a uniform form factor, size,
connector type and electrical pin-outs.
Agere and Agilent will independently develop 10 Gigabit Ethernet
transceivers based on the proposed IEEE standard and this MSA.
The MSA covers all four transceiver types defined in the proposed
standard, including 850 nanometers (nm) serial, 1310 nm serial, 1310 nm WWDM
and 1550 nm serial. It specifies transceiver modules not to exceed 38
millimeters (mm) (1.5 inches) wide, 121 mm (4.8 inches) long and 17.4 mm (0.7
inches) high. The specified dimensions will allow high port densities on
typical line cards. The transceivers will be front-panel-pluggable devices,
connecting to a host circuit board in the "Z" plane through a board-mounted
card-edge connector. The optical interface will be a standard SC duplex fiber
optic connector.
In addition, Tyco Electronics has designed, and will produce, a 70 pin
electrical connector that connects the transceiver to the printed circuit
board. The electrical input/output is based on the four wire XAUI (10 gigabit
attachment unit interface) interface. The three companies will make the
details of the MSA available to the industry so that other optical transceiver
manufacturers can produce compatible products.
"Agilent and Agere are committed to supporting the Gigabit Ethernet
standards developed by IEEE," said Euan Livingston, Agilent's Fiber Optic
Business Unit marketing manager. "The pin-to-pin compatibility of
transceivers from the two companies, and eventually others, will allow the
devices to be used interchangeably. We plan to make the details of the MSA
available to the industry shortly."
"This MSA offers a robust platform for all types of 10 Gigabit Ethernet
devices," said Ed Cornejo, senior program manager at Agere Systems. "The
design addresses the major challenges associated with 10 gigabit-per-second
solutions, such as RFI issues, heat dissipation, manufacturability, pin
assignments within the connector, and flexibility for other technologies. Our
customers like the approach we've taken."
The companies expect to begin shipping these new 10 Gigabit Ethernet
transceivers in 2001.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in
communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare. With 48,000
employees serving customers in more than 120 countries, Agilent had net
revenue of $10.8 billion in fiscal year 2000. Information about Agilent can
be found on the Web at http://www.agilent.com.
About Agere Systems
Agere Systems Inc., formerly known as the Microelectronics Group of Lucent
Technologies, is the world leader in semiconductors for communications
applications. Lucent has announced it intends to spin off Agere Systems as an
independent company. Agere Systems offers integrated optoelectronics and
integrated circuit solutions to help customers reduce the time and expense of
developing new communications equipment. It also provides wireless computer
networking solutions through its ORiNOCO product line. More information about
Agere Systems is available from its Web site at http://www.agere.com.
Agilent Technologies Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements (including, without
limitation, Agilent Technologies' timing and ability to develop, produce and
ship 10 Gigabit Ethernet transceivers based on the proposed IEEE standard and
the features, functions and interchangeability of these devices with those
produced by Agere Systems) that involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause the results of Agilent Technologies to differ materially from
management's current expectations. These and other risks are detailed in
Agilent's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2000, as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Agere Systems Safe Harbor Statement
This press release does not constitute an offering of any securities which
will be made only by a prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current
information available to the company as of the date hereof that involve risks
and uncertainties. The company's actual results could differ materially from
those results stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to
risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, completion of the distribution of Agere stock by Lucent
Technologies Inc., price and product competition, keeping pace with
technological change, dependence on new product development, reliance on major
customers and suppliers, customer demand for our products and services,
availability of manufacturing capacity, components and materials, control of
costs and expenses, general industry and market conditions and growth rates
and general domestic and international economic conditions including interest
rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations.
SOURCE Agilent Technologies and Agere Systems
CONTACT: Glen Haley of Agere Systems, 908-508-8662, home, 973-276-0295,
glenhaley@agere.com; or Carl Blesch of Agere Systems, 908-508-8412, home
908-306-0784, cblesch@agere.com; or Mark Alden of Agilent Technologies,